This phase II trial will combine two agents, cabazitaxel and lapatinib, to treat patients with metastatic breast cancer (MBC) which has metastasized to the brain. The first portion of the study will determine the optimal dose of the cabazitaxel/lapatinib combination to administer to patients. After determining the optimal dose, patients will continue treatment with cabazitaxel and lapatinib to assess response to treatment with these agents.